On Thursday, Nov. 15, the Literacy Network announced the largest donation given to the organization in their 44-year history, which will go towards expanding adult educational programming at Madison College’s new South Madison campus, set to open in the fall of 2019.
“We’ve been in partnership with Literacy Network for some time, we’ve really enjoyed that partnership,” Madison College President Jack Daniels III said.
Over the next three years, the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation will give the organization $300,000 to help adult English language learners complete their degrees and certificates at Madison College. Literacy Network Executive Director Jeff Burkhart said this donation will allow the organization to increase its capacity to serve 150 more students.
“We’re going to increase the number of classes available to our students,” he said.
The new direction of Literacy Network’s programming represents a new collaborative effort to serve the South Madison community.
“While the building’s beautiful, the program is going to make a difference,” Oscar Rennebohm Foundation President Steven Skolaski.
Skolaski said the neighbors on Park Street allow for a collective effort to serve marginalized communities in the area. Alongside Literacy Network and Madison College, the neighborhood also houses organizations like Centro Hispano, Urban League of Greater Madison, Planned Parenthood and other resources.
“I’m glad the Rennebohm foundation has the vision to support adult learners on their journey. Most adult learners tell us they dream of a degree and a better job. We’re working together to help adults and families achieve their dreams,” Burkhart said.
He told a story about a student who wanted to pursue a degree in radiology at a press conference on Thursday. Through the assistance of both the Literacy Network and Madison College, Burkhart said students will have the opportunity to advance to the next steps in their career paths while learning the necessary skill sets.
“Written and spoken English are vital to our students,” he said.
According to Literacy Network, students in their academic tutoring program over a two-year period at Madison College demonstrated a 304 percent increase in test scores. Twenty one percent were more likely to enroll in an additional semester than those without tutoring.
“The intern that plans a lesson for tutors are really good at finding out what the student wants to do,” Senior Director of Tutoring Jennifer Peterson said.
Literacy Network will continue to seek funding to reach their total project budget of $486,870. This support will allow them to integrate personalized support services, classes, tutoring, academic skill development and career advising for students to succeed at Madison College.
“Many of the people apart of Literacy Network have those skills, they just need to be uncovered and supported and encouraged,” Daniels said.
